Statement from Cllr Caroline Woodley on changes to leisure centre fees
Following a significant increase in the cost of energy, some leisure centre fees in Hackney are set to increase by 4% from January. Cllr Caroline Woodley, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure, explains the changes and what the Council is doing to freeze fees for some residents.
Unfortunately, rises in the cost of energy are forcing us to increase membership and activity prices at our leisure centres by 4%. This 4% rise equates to an increase of 15p on a £3.80 pay and play adult swim and will help to mitigate some of the increases in energy costs.
There will be no increase to prices for concessions, including over 60s, people in receipt of benefits, people with disabilities and students to ensure that those with less can continue to enjoy our leisure centres. Children and people over 60 will continue to swim for free as before.
We don’t take this decision lightly, but we are faced with forecast increases in energy costs of £2.2m this year and the government’s scheme to help businesses is set to reduce this by only approximately £50,000 between October and March.The fees and charges increase will be implemented from 1 January 2023 and Better will be writing to all customers in due course informing them of the changes.
We hope that we won’t have to make further fee increases in 2023, but will need to see how energy prices and wider inflationary pressures develop over the coming months.
